After ten months of testing and racing across five continents, Fuchs Kawasaki riders Garry McCoy and Andrew Pitt finally touchdown at home for this Sunday's Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
The Melbourne-based circuit is expected to bring a welcome relief from the heat and humidity of last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, where Pitt finished just outside the world championship points. Track knowledge and cooler conditions are expected to provide a platform for both Kawasaki riders to aim for a points scoring finish in their home grand prix.
"I just love racing at Phillip Island - it's almost like being on holiday, with the beach and staying in Cowes," Pitt said, "Plus a bunch my mates will be there for the race, so it will be good to catch up with everyone.
"I think most riders enjoy racing here and, like Assen, it is one of the great tracks on the calendar. Phillip Island has always been a tough test on tyres, but I'm sure the Dunlop guys are ready for that - they've made some good progress this season and the cooler weather should work in our favour. The speed of the ZX-RR will be strong on the first half of the circuit, which is really fast, but the back section, up past the Hayshed to Lukey Heights, could be hard work for us."
The pre-race preparations will be more intense than usual, with Pitt and McCoy engaged in a series of media and corporate appearances that are all part of the demands of modern
MotoGP competition, especially racing at home for a high profile factory team.
"It's always exciting racing at the Island with a big crowd, but it's also a lot of extra work with the media, team and sponsorship schedule - everyone wants some of your time," McCoy confirmed.
And the Phillip Island visit is not just a home race for the riders. The Kawasaki race team has a solid representation of Australian technicians in the garage, all of whom will also enjoy the opportunity of racing in familiar surroundings.
